Exceeding expectations

The Toronto Maple Leafs have surprised everyone by earning nine out of a possible 10 points in their first five games. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Adam Proteau
2010-10-20 15:50:00

As is natural at the start of the NHL’s regular season, we’re seeing some significant fluctuation in THN.com’s early Power Rankings.

The upstart Maple Leafs and Stars have managed to maintain their torrid start to the year and remain near or at the top of our chart, while teams such as the Lightning, Hawks and Predators are climbing higher. Unfortunately for supporters of the Devils, Sabres and Senators, those franchises have yet to reverse their downward trajectories.

In any case, be sure to check back next Wednesday (and every Wednesday during the regular season) to keep track of where your team is ranked.

THE HOCKEY NEWS POWER RANKINGS

RK.

TEAM

LW

OVERALL

THE SCOOP

1

3

4-0-1

Coach Ron Wilson deserves credit for Leafs’ resiliency

2

16

4-1-0

Steven Stamkos is a beast; what’s up with Simon Gagne and Ryan Malone having minus-7 ratings?

3

13

4-2-1

Duncan Keith averaging more than 30 minutes of ice time a night

4

1

3-1-1

Wings third-best in league at shots allowed per game (25.6)

5

5

4-1-0

Only Anaheim averages more shots allowed than Stars’ 38.0

6

7

4-2-0

Michal Neuvirth making great case to platoon with Semyon Varlamov

7

15

3-0-2

Matthew Lombardi invisible so far, but steady Preds keep rolling

8

8

3-1-0

Imagine how good Kings would be if their power play was better than 6.2 percent efficiency

9

17

3-1-0

Stingy Bruins benefiting from rejuvenated Tim Thomas in net

10

14

3-1-2

Isles third-best in league at faceoff percentage (55.6)

11

21

3-1-1

Formerly mighty Habs power play now NHL’s worst (5.9 percent)

12

10

4-2-0

Paul Stastny averaging just one second less per game (22:00) than Avs’ most-utilized defenseman